> I think the trial by fire approach, just jumping into the deep end, is a much more effective way to learn. It's also more fun for me.

If people survive it this gets them past some substantial mental hurdles. People who take too long on the basics often get stuck in the beginner treadmill, not really progressing but getting better and better at those basics.

Unfortunately, it's not perfect. Most of my colleagues who have taken this approach have deficient mental models of how computers work or are missing significant portions of background or fundamental knowledge.

After the trial by fire, you have to go back and fill in the gaps, hopefully deliberately and not just by future trial by fire efforts.